Screening for new psychoactive substances (NPS) challenges forensic laboratories. Traditional workflows depend on immunoassays, which restrict coverage and delay response to emerging compounds. Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry (DART-MS) offers a different path. The technique removes chromatography from the screening stage and enables rapid method updates as new drugs and analogues enter the market.
Agility drives the value of this approach. Laboratories can add compounds to screening panels without waiting for new immunoassays. Scientists gain the ability to detect a broader range of substances and maintain pace with shifting drug trends. High-throughput operation supports timely analysis while preserving selectivity and sensitivity.
Terry Bates, Founder and CEO of Quantera Analytical, highlights how DART-MS reshapes drug testing strategy. The technology supports fast screening, quick method development, and responsive surveillance for NPS. Forensic teams can strengthen detection capability and reduce bottlenecks that limit conventional assays.
